Concerts, comedy and the Fringe: 10 things to do this week

Fringe Festival: North America’s largest and longest-running theatre festival brings together local, national and international artists for a week-and-a-half of entertainment, and it’s all happening right here in our city. The Fringe continues to expand beyond its Old Strathcona base this year, with free outdoor stages, busking, indoor theatre performances, children’s activities, food and craft vendors, street artists and lots more. When: Thursday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 24. Where: Various venues. Admission: Various. Info: fringetheatre.ca

Supplied

Book sale: The Edmonton Public Library continues to grow, but space dictates that they can’t keep everything. Great deals can be had as excess books, video and CDs are put on sale at the popular EPL book sale at their downtown location. When: Friday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 17. Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Where: lover level, Stanley A. Milner Library. Admission: Free. Info: epl.caSupplied

Kim Mitchell: They’re a little older, a little greyer, and in one notable instance a whole lot balder, but that doesn’t stop them from rocking. A veritable feast of ’70s Can-rock has been assembled for your enjoyment as Kim Mitchell, Kenny Shields and Streetheart, and Prism come together to headline the Rock’n August International Car Show in St. Albert. When: Friday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. Where: Go Auto Arena, Servus Credit Union Place, 400 Campbell Rd., St. Albert. Admission: $39 and $59, available from Ticketmaster, 780-451-8000. Info: ticketmaster.caSupplied

Blues: Robert Cray, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, and Mavis Staples are among the headlining acts announced for this year’s Edmonton Blues Festival. Cray is a five-time Grammy winner and Staples, whose career spans seven decades of funk, soul, gospel and rock, is a musical icon, but there are lots of other worthy acts playing this year, including Jim Byrnes, Steve Dawson and the Sojourners, the Cashbox Kings and Austin’s own Carolyn Wonderland. When: Friday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 17. Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park. Admission: Transferable weekend pass, $105, available from Ticketmaster, 780-451-8000, or from the Blues International website. Single day passes are also available. Info: bluesinternationalltd.comTasos Katopodis
/ Supplied

Comedy: Ex-Edmontonian Michael Harrison returns to the city he called home for two years for a two-night stint at Yuk Yuk’s. He’s not returning empty-handed; since leaving Harrison has scored a half-hour comedy special on Comedy Network, appeared on Queer as Folk and The Bridge, and headlined shows across Canada and the U.S. Fresh from an appearance at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, Harrison is primed to impress in the city where he honed his craft. When: Friday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Where: Yuk Yuk’s, in the Century Casino, 13103 Fort Rd. Admission: $20, available by phone, 780-481-9857, or from the Yuk Yuk’s website. Info: yukyuks.comSupplied

Latin Festival: Authentic Latin food pavilions, artisan markets, music and a carnival are just a small part of the upcoming Latin Festival in Churchill Square this Saturday and Sunday. Expect lots of dancing as well, with showcases of salsa, Bachata, mambo caliente, Afro-Cuban and more, plus an 8 p.m. Saturday performance by the Grammy nominated Wil Campa Y su Gran Union. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can take part in an attempt to break the current record for largest zumba class. When: Saturday, Aug. 16 to Sunday, Aug. 17. Noon to 11 p.m. both days. Where: Churchill Square. Admission: Free. Info: edmontonlatinfestival.comJohn Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Tom Petty: Despite being a true rock ’n’ roll icon, Tom Petty has never done what he just did last week with his latest album, Hypnotizing Eye. The singer-songwriter’s 13th studio album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, proof that he continues to be relevant in the always shifting musical climate. If you’re worried that this means he’ll be concentrating exclusively on new songs, don’t; last time he came through, on the heels of his last album, Mojo, he still found plenty of time to play the hits. When: Sunday, Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Rexall Place. Admission: $53 to $169. Info: ticketmaster.caSupplied

Earth, Wind & Fire: Like the primal forces that they’ve dared to steal their name from, Earth, Wind & Fire just continue on their funky way through the decades. They’re on their 20th studio album, 2013’s Now, Then & Forever, and still cruising with a fair number of original members, including bassist Verdine White and singer Philip Bailey, who hooked up with the Chicago-based band in 1972. Hits include Boogie Wonderland, Shining Star and That’s the Way of the World, but let’s face it — nothing can top September, right? When: Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Jubilee Auditorium. Admission: $69.40 to $147.25. Info: ticketmaster.caSupplied

Empowerment Through Art: Musicians Justine Vandergrift, Corbo Kornel, Jenna Rodgers, Arlene Paculan, spoken word artist Dwennimmen and visual artist Emilee Boutilier are slated to entertain at the WonderFest: Spreading Empowerment Through Art show at Bohemia. Started by Paculan and singer/comedian Kat Leonard, Wonderfest seeks to empower people of all ages and backgrounds to use creativity and art in their everyday lives. When: Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Bohemia, 10217 97th St. Admission: $10 at the door. Info: wonderwomenworld.tumblr.comSupplied

C’mon Fest: This year’s C’mon (a.k.a. Chamber Music Old & New) Festival features the talents of 11 of Edmonton’s leading professional musicians on an eclectic program that includes music from Heinrich Biber, Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss Jr., George Gershwin and Duke Ellington, plus contemporary composers Esa-Pekka Salonen, John Harbison, Christopher Cerrone and Timo Andres. Pop fans take note: arranger Claude Lapalme will also use his talents to reconfigure versions of songs by Talking Heads, Joni Mitchell and Said the Whale. When: Tuesday, Aug. 19 to Thursday, Aug. 21. Where: St. Faith & St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, 11725 93rd St. Admission: Festival pass is $45, single-day tickets also available from Tix on the Square, 780-420-1757. Info: tixonthesquare.caSupplied

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.